BLACK AND WHITE

Sunday 19th July Old Freemans
Our return game against Old Freemen's at their ground is now our "Dave Norton Memorial Trophy" game when the OCA man of the match is presented with the cup from our President, Bernie Wipp. This is our second year, Asif won the award last season. The scene was set for another OCA batting barrage, however, Gary lost the toss and found himself in the field, much to the side's displeasure. Richard and Jameel opened the attack and, as usual, gave them nothing. A few chances did not stick but Old Frees openers struggled for runs. Tahir came on first change, no relief for the batting side, and again no loose deliveries were available. Old Frees limped to 50 when Hamel eventually struck, Gary taking a sharp catch at midwicket. Old Frees star man, Rippin, came to the wicket, but very soon Tahir was ripping his stumps out of the ground, gone for 2. The innings failed to gain any impetus as wickets fell at regular intervals. Three superb run outs did not help the cause either. It could have been worse but for a few wayward overs from the "destroyer", Shane Dutfield, who conceded 31 off his 5 overs. But when Richard and Jameel returned for the last rites, the writing was on the wall. 158 for 8 off 40 overs was never going to be enough to trouble the strong batting line up of the OCA, unless Howie could suddenly produce reverse swing!!!!!! Pigs might fly!!!
Saleem and Hamel opened for OCA, pushing skip down the order. Runs came easily and soon the hundred was reached in the 20th over without loss. Howie came on to bowl briefly, saw it could be carnage, so quickly took himself off. At 107 Saleem was dismissed for a very sound 43. This then brought in Asif, not something a bowling teams look forward to!! In no time at all Asif was crashing boundaries, and Hamel was quietly going about his business scoring runs. Hamel brought up his second 50 of the season before he was finally bowled for a very classy 56 at 150 for 2. Still with 13 overs remaining, an easy victory looked sure. Basharat came in to nail the game and made only 2 scoring shots, both sixes!! to finish the game. Asif ended 33 not out, pushing his average near to 70 for the season with almost 500 runs. In the bar afterwards, Bernie Wipp made a lovely speech about the game and declared Hamel as the man of the match, much to the pleasure of his proud father, Girish. We were pleased because he had to buy the next round of drinks!
Now 11 wins and a draw from 12 games, but Old Wimbledonians next week will be the test for the boys, the strongest team we will play this year. Good luck lads!

Sunday 12th July Wandgas
Having lost the toss, OCA were batting on a slow wicket against a strengthened Wandgas side for this local derby. Very steady bowling saw us score 9 off the first 6 overs of our 40. Then, once we got into our stride we quickly lost wickets. Hamel first to go for 17, Saleem next for 4, Basharat for 6, left us 56 for 3 off 18 overs. Our, in form class thumper, Asif was still in and was joined by newly promoted Jameel. These two pushed the score on to 99 when disaster struck, the main man, Asif, was out for yet another score over 50 (51) and was quickly followed by Umer for a duck (packed the bag). 108 for 5 off 28 overs saw us wobbling, then Jameel was bowled for an excellent 21, leaving us on 114 for 6 off 31 overs, a decent score was not looking promising. Naveen, playing his first game of the season was joined by our master of these situations, Richard Cunningham. These two put on a sensible 27 in 6 overs before Naveen went for 20. Gary joined his brother for the last 3 overs and they combined great shots with ridiculous running. Talk about crazy legs, they were everywhere!! A partnership of 24 most valuable runs saw us to 165 for 7 at the close. This was now going to be a challenging total for Wandgas, but we still had to bowl well.
Wandgas openers were a combination, one of class and the other a bit of a banger, however, it was effective. Richard and Tahir made them fight all the way and Naveen gave them little, but they were looking good at 68 for nought. Gary struck the first blow trapping banger in front, the usual slack finger was raised for the first time in Gary's favour by yours truly. Naveen then took the prize wicket, when "class act" mis-timed a drive which went miles in the air, we all waited holding our breath as the ball safely landed in the reliable hands of Gary. Now 69 for 2 was a different situation. Jameel joined Gary in the attack and stifled the life out of Wandgas with too much pace for them to deal with, he finished his 7 over spell with 1 for 11 including 4 maidens. Wandgas were now seriously behind the rate and Hamel gave them little change from his 4 overs and most importantly, wickets tumbled, 92 for 2 became 93 for 5. Shane (the destroyer) Dutfield came on when he smelt blood, however, this time he was not so accurate and Wandgas had a small recovery. This was soon dampened as Gary brought back the big guns and Richard struck straight away and Wangas's fire was extinguished!! 149 for 8 at the close was a good reply but not good enough. OCA claimed their 10th victory by 16 runs. What a valuable 24 run partnership at the end of our innings!!!!!

Sunday 28th June Lyne CC
The change in venue from Lyne's ground to Wandgas this season confused some, more so, Lyne, who arrived with only 9 players. We agreed to give them one fielder to assist. They were confident that although they only had 9, they were a strong 9. We soon found that to be true as they decided to bat on a hot afternoon. Their openers passed 50 easily, kindly assisted by several dropped catches and poor ground fielding. Spin eventually found the first wicket at 63, Hamel tussled with Tahir for a skier and luckily won and held on for a c&b. Further drops cost us dearly as Lyne took advantage. Umer showed everyone how to catch and removed the classy opener off new boy Liam Beckett for 76 at 130. Soon we were looking at 165 for 2, with plenty of overs remaining, but on came our saviour, Shane Dutfield. Their number 3 bat thought that Shane looked easy pickings but spooned a drive to Tahir. 8 runs later Liam picked up one and then Shane (the destroyer) carved through the next 3 batsmen, clean bowled by flight and guile. He then polished off the last man by an easy catch to Hamel. Career best figures, best bowling analysis all season for the team, what more can I say, 5 for 7 wrapped up the innings at 191. Without Shane's performance we were looking at 220 or 230 to chase.
Fresh from success last week, our newly put together opening pair of Hamel and Gary Cunningham, strode purposefully to the wicket. Again a quick start of 30 in 4 overs saw Hamel play across the line and get bowled for 22. The mighty in form Asif then joined Gary. After an edgy start Asif soon was in full flow. Gary played an excellent supporting role and upset the field with some very sharp running. Asif quickly passed 50 with some lusty blows. Gary moved on to 40 and decided to take on the bowlers, 4 consecutive fours brought up his second 50 of the season. It looked as though he may have taken the runs that Asif may need for his 100, however he continued to blast away. Gary was eventually caught for an excellent 64. This incredible partnership was worth 147 in only 18 overs, in excess of 8 runs per over!! We were on the brink of victory, 177 for 2, as last week's centurion, Tahir joined Asif. 15 runs needed to win and Asif needed 18 for a hundred!! 4,2,4 and 4, left the scores level, Asif on 96 and Tahir on strike. Luckily a maiden was bowled!!! and Asif struck the first ball of the next over for 4. A maiden century for the in form Asif, now scored 390 runs at an average of 65. OCA march on with 9 wins and a draw out of 10 played, fantastic stuff boys!

Sunday 21st June Wimbledon United
Last Sunday saw our delightful annual pilgrimage to Cottenham Park to play Wimbledon United. The thought of Father's day and strawberry flans was overwhelmed by the thought of a strong game. Sure enough, Wimbledon had a very strong batting line up out. We were 4 top players short but brimming with confidence following our superb run of late. Skip, Gary Cunningham did a good job in winning the toss and deciding to bat in a 40 overs game. He, and Hamel, just back from university, opened the innings. Fast and bouncy bowling from Wimbledon's openers was soon dealt with and on a hard, short cut outfield, boundaries were quickly found. We soon had 76 on the board at the end of the 10th over, what a start!! Gary was then sent back only to see a direct hit leave him a little short!! In form Asif joined Hamel and the latter immediately brought up his 50 then spooned a catch. The deadly combination of Asif and Tahir were in, a rapid partnership of 49 in 6 overs saw the end of Asif for 24. At this stage we were 147 for 3 off 20 overs, a big score looked on the cards. Bilal and Richard Cunningham both came and went quickly, leaving us a little wobbly on 152 for 5, still with 18 overs to go. The aim was now to bat the full 40 overs. Shane Dutfield supported Tahir very well, Tahir was now blossoming with some classic and powerful shots. He moved easily past 50 and was now looking to beat his personal best of 62. Shane was eventually out for 9, but importantly the score moved on to 183 for 6. Umer surprised many with perfect defensive shorts which we never believed he had, this was then followed by more than a few lusty blows. An excellent 17 saw us to 231 with 4 overs left. Tahir had easily pasted his best score and now had a century in his sights. Tony Scott rolled back the years as he strode to the wicket for the first time in over a year!! Tahir was still 24 runs short of his ton and time was running out. Scotty gave him as much strike as possible (true old pro), Tahir struck two mighty blows over mid on for six and with the last but one ball of the innings hit a four to bring up his maiden century, 102 not out. Many congratulations!! OCA 271 for 7, a new club record score.
Wimbledon started well hitting the first ball for four, however, as usual, Richard Cunningham produced a peach of a delivery and bowled their in form opener for a duck. Not a good start chasing 272 for victory. Wimbledon recovered well scoring at 7 runs per over until skip, Gary, had the other opener well caught driving to mid off where Umer made a brilliant impression of a circus juggler. Gary then had their number 3 caught and bowled. Jameel had taken over from Richard and tied the batsmen up in knots. His 8 overs cost 9 runs for 1 wicket. Wimbledon were going nowhere. Scotty soon blew away the cobwebs taking over from Gary. His flight and guile bemused the batsmen who made a brief recovery with some lusty blows. Scotty eventually wiped out the middle order taking 3 for 49. Hamel returned to the attack and picked up two late wickets, which left Shane Dutfield to clean bowl their last man to wrap up their innings for 182 leaving the OCA comfortable victors by 89 runs.
Eight wins and an draw from nine games, OCA march on! Next up Lyne at home at the Wandgas.

Sunday 14th June Ockham
A visit to the tranquil village of Ockham is always a delight. We see many of the old familiar faces that we have seen over many years and we are always made so welcome. OCA resumed to almost full strength with the return of Gary Cunningham, Basharat and Jameel. The sun was out and temperature was in the mid 20s. Captain Gary wanted a 40 overs game and wished to bat first. It turned out a time game and we were in the field!! The wicket was hard and flat with plenty of runs in it. The outfield was also hard and short cut, we were going to get value for our shots. Our lightning pair, Richard Cunningham and Tahir opened with the new ball. Ockham's openers looked in good form as they both moved onto double figures with some nice boundary shots. Richard struck decisively, twice, bowling both "through the gate" at pace. Tahir gained a plumb LBW and Ockham were on the back foot. Shane Dutfield had given up the idea of scoring copious amounts of runs by slipping down the order and was probably thinking about that when an upward drive straight to him caught him discombobulated and the ball went through his hands onto his chest and finally to the ground!! A short while afterwards he dived goalkeeper style to his right and took an incredible two handed catch whilst horizontal in the air at cover!! Catch of the season?? Bilal chipped in with two wickets, Jameel replaced Richard and bowled with great pace, nearly breaking batsmen's toes!! He took 2 wickets and Gary picked up one. It was only Ockham's Chanderpaul impersonator, Mr Allen, who then batted with great cause and conviction that saw his team pass 100. The return of Tahir to team up with Jameel rapidly saw the last rites to their innings. Tahir bowled "the crab" for a very good 54 and knocked over number 11 first ball. On a hat trick next game. 132 all out was woefully short after 35 overs.
With Shane dropping down the order, the skip took it upon himself to lead from the front with Saleem. It was hard going to start with as Ockham's openers bowled a tight line. Gary played two exquisite drives for four and we were on our way, or so we thought, Saleem faint edged to the keeper from their "cheesy" opener. 18 for 1 off 6 overs when Asif came to join Gary. Both looked class all the way as fours poured from their bats. Drives, pulls, cuts and delicate flicks were there for all to see. Poetry in motion!!! Soon both were nearing 50 when Asif exploded into a brutal attack on the bowlers. Their skipper came on to bowl to quiet things down but Asif took him apart. One over saw Asif miss the first ball, but plastered 3 sixes and 2 fours from the last five!!. The game was won when Gary guided the first ball of the 18th over to the fine leg boundary to also bring up his 50 (11 fours). Asif finished on 71 not out (3 sixes and 11 fours), not much running done!! The second wicket partnership was the best of the season, 115 from only 11 overs !!! Yes, that is over 10 per over, twenty/20 stuff !!
7 wins and a draw from 8 games is a great start from the team. Next week we may have some stiff opposition from Wimbledon United, always a difficult team to beat. Still it will bring with it the best teas ever!!! Strawberry flans on Father's Day - perfect !!!

Sunday 7th June Brookwod
With six of our top players unavailable for one reason or another, players were called upon from many sources, none more so than retirement, yes Terry Cunningham took the field as a player again!! People were saying "don't do it" but he could not resist the temptation!!! Acting captain Saleem put Brookwood into bat on a rain affected wicket. Our trusted opening bowling pair, Tahir and Richard Cunningham soon had the batsmen struggling, with many balls passing the outside edge very closely, almost touching on ocassions. Richard was delighted to clean bowl their captain for 10, stumps a-kimbo. New boy, Shakir soon found his line and length after a few wides and made the ball swing considerably. His 3 cheap wickets put Brookwood on the back foot at 55 for 5. Saleem and Bilal joined in the fun after a stand of 50 runs, taking the score past 100. They took 2 a piece to wipe out any idea of recovery and with the return of the, much feared opening pair, the innings was wrapped up quickly, all out 124 in 37 overs.
Shane Dutfield again opened the batting with Saleem and his quest for copious amounts of runs was once again foiled. Bowled for nought, 8 for 1 wicket. Saleem was very generously given out LBW by Bilal for 13 left us on 18 for 2 and wobbling a bit. Asif and Tahir again came to the rescue, Tahir stood and watched open mouthed as Asif plastered the bowling all round Brookwood village. Tahir took 26 minutes to get off the mark!! By then Asif was on his way to another 50. A stand of 64 effectively finished the game, Asif was first out for 54. Tahir saw Bilal blaze his way to 14 from his first 3 balls faced (6-2-6) and stumped off his 4th!!! Umer hit one four before being caught on the boundary, then the dogged Tahir was finally out for only 13, but a most valuable contribution. 110 for 6 soon became 114 for 7 then 119 for 8 as new boys Hussnain and Shakir were out. Only 6 needed but Richard only had Geoff Hitchcock and former retired skip, Terry Cunningham for partners. Geoff had one almighty swing and a miss which had our hearts in our mouths, but Richard took control and steered us to victory. He marched from the field with his head held high, he knew he had done well !!!!!!!!!!
Even with a substandard side this week we managed to stretch our unbeaten run. Now 6 wins and a draw from 7 games. Back to full strength for the unfortunate Ockham this Sunday, weather is predicted to be hot, which matches our cricket.

Sunday 31st June John Fisher
John Fisher arrived with 8 players and as a sporting gesture we gave them one of our players, so it was a 10 verse 9 game!!! Captain of the day, Saleem, duly won the toss and sensibly decided to bat on a very warm day. Makeshift opener, Shane Dutfield was looking to get copious amounts of runs. However, he did at least set the platform with Saleem in a 30 partnership. Bilal went "back at the gas" for the second week running and got the same result, a duck!!, 30 for 2 became 62 for 3 when Saleem went for a steady 34. This brought together, Asif and the newly promoted, Tahir. We thought that he may get a nosebleed so high up the order but these two took the bowling apart with a mixture of classy and improvised shots. They put on 127 runs in only 18 overs before Asif was out for a personal best, 76, at 189 for 4. Tahir fell shortly after also for a personal best of 62. OCA were now coasting, although we lost Umer for a golden duck having a bash, the reliable Richard Cunningham had arrived at the wicket. As he has done on numerous occasions, he steered the side to over 200 at the end of 40 overs. Richard finished with another not out, 12 and the all rounder, Ray Doyle, on debut, was 0 not out. 202 for 6 was always going to be a stiff challenge for John Fisher.
Jameel and Richard opened the attack and soon were passing the bat with ease. Jameel made the first strike and Richard soon had success. Bilal replaced Richard and had more success with the ball than bat. Once Jameel had bowled out, John Fisher had no respite, Tahir came on to bowl and soon claimed 3 wickets. The game was really all over at this stage, but captain Saleem brought himself on to bowl for the first time this season. He soon claimed the scalp of their resilient opener, a very sharp catch to Richard at slip, he had played and missed so often we believed he was doing it on purpose!! Richard was not going to put that catch down!!! Shane Dutfield wrapped up the game with only 4 balls bowled, making no mistake with a caught and bowled. All out 145, OCA winners by 57 runs, one of our smaller winning margins!!
We now have won 5 and drawn 1 losing none. Hope that our form continues on our away day to the far depths of Surrey at Brookwood on Sunday. We are pleased to have Hamel, the first back from Uni, in the side for his first game of the season, weather permitting.

Sunday 24th May Wandgas
OCA continued their rich vein of form with another convincing win over Wandgas. The "local derby" is always fiercely contested and Wangas tried hard to compile a strong enough team to give us a game. Both captains agreed that OCA should bat first and Saleem and Mazhar did what comes naturally to them, putting on a solid start. However, from 40 without loss after 8 overs, having seen off the lively openers, we slipped to 45 for 3. This included a Bilal duck, who failed to grasp the the well known tip of "don't go back at the gas". He went back and got bowled !! Basharat came and went, 67 for 4. Gary Cunningham played some delightful shots but snicked to the keeper off "Ginge" for 19. Asif and Shane Dutfield came and went for 2 and 5 respectively. Suddenly we were struggling at 86 for 7 off 25 overs. Our two heros of last week, Richard Cunningham and Gethin Wood, came together and we all hoped that we were in for a repeat performance. The answer was, yes!! A partnership of 65 in the next 10 overs put us back in the driving seat. Richard, who made a much needed 25, was replaced by Jameel who struck 3 lusty fours in his 14, pushing us to 188 for 9. The last rites of the Wandgas bowling were administered by Tahir and the now fluent and aggressive, Gethin. 197 for 9 at the close was always going to be a mountain that Wandgas had no hope of climbing. Gethin finished on 64 not out, a sparkling innings very easy on the eye, very painful to the Wandgas captain who failed to drive home the advantage when it was staring him in the face. You do not let OCA off the hook in this rampant form and get away with it. A lesson painfully learnt.
Tahir and Richard bowled out their 8 overs each at the start and ended Wandgas hopes at the same time. Tahir 3 for 28 and Richard 2 for 27, left them 50 for 5. Only their captain, Paul Howgate survived the onslaught. He batted most sensibly and elegantly, he had to as he had already done enough damage to the team in the first half. His old mate and opposing captain, Gary, won the battle pegging back his middle stump!!! Jameel whistled a few past bewildered batsmen, job almost done. Shane Dutfield replaced Gary and his carefully flighted deliveries caused their batsmen to freeze and it took Gethin only 2 balls to account for the last man. A pathetic 104 all out meant another crushing victory for the super OCA by 93 runs. Must do better next time round Wandgas.
Home next week to John Fisher, one team we owe a good drubbing!!

Sunday 17th May Concorde
The overnight rain stopped for the game to start, albeit in freezing temperatures. The wet wicket and the possibility of batting out for a draw meant that Concorde asked us to bat. Saleem and Mazhar started steadily, gaining very little value for their shots in a sodden outfield. We reached 70 for the loss of 3 wickets after 23 overs, mainly thanks to a Bilal and Basharat assault on the damp bowlers. Richard Cunningham and Gethin Wood came together and played themselves in for a while. At 85 for 4 after 30 overs, things were looking as bleak as the weather, which had accounted for half an hour sheltering in the pavilion. Time was running out for us to set a target and have enough time to bowl out the notorious dogged Concorde. The next 12 overs saw us double our score, yes 7 runs per over in the rain !! Richard made a brilliant jug avoiding 48 not out, Gethin's first knock of the season was outstanding, a much needed 29. The declaration came on the stroke of 5pm, OCA 169 for 5.
Our battery of fast bowlers were always going to be far too much for the opposition, especially after Jameel had their hard hitting opener for a duck (most appropriate for the conditions). Soon Concorde were 3 down for 19 and even after a few lusty blows from their rugby star, 34 for 4 was looking sad. Concorde's captain joined us in the mud bath and showed his intentions and the full face of the bat, from the start. His dogged 19 from 30 overs was certainly not pretty. Shane Dutfield had his first bowl of the season and was robbed of a wicket by Basharat's mad rush from behind the stumps to silly mid on to chase a catch that would have landed on Richard's head. Richard made way for the rampant keeper only to see him put it down!!! Mazhar was the only bowler to keep his feet in the crease and bowled beautifully without a lot of luck. Gethin gave us the option of spin and ripped a few past the outstretched forward prod of their batsmen. Try as we did, we could not winkle them out. At 76 for 6 the best option was a shower and a beer. A winning draw without doubt.
Four games now, three wins and a draw. Not one side has come anywhere near the super OCA, it will take a very good side to do that. On to our ground hosts, Wandgas, on Sunday, watch out you could be the fifth side of the season to have a drubbing.

Sunday 3rd May Morden.
Captain of the day Saleem, chose to bat on an unusually good track at Morden. OCA got to 50 for the loss of 2 wickets in 13th over. We were suddenly rocked to 76 for 6 in the next 7 overs. Umer then joined Richard Cunningham to steady the ship. Richard played a superb anchor role, while Umer was hell bent on quick fire runs. These two put on 86 in the next 13 overs before Umer was bowled for 57 which included 2 big sixes and 8 fours. Richard was soon adjudged to have edged to the keeper for a most valuable 21 in an hour and a half. The final total was 167.
Mazhar and Richard opened the bowling and soon found success. Tahir came on for Mazhar after 10 overs and soon had Saleem taking a wonder slip catch. Once Richard had knocked over 3 of Morden's middle order they were looking in a very poor state at 40 for 7. Jameel replaced Richard and struck quickly, 58 for 8 left Morden with a little tail wag to get them to a final score of 76 all out. A resounding win by 91 runs means 2 out of 2 wins both by considerable margins.

Sunday 10th May Old Freemen's.
Captain Gary Cunningham returned from Manchester to win the toss again and had no hesitation in electing to bat on a super Wandgas wicket that had plenty of runs in it. Old Frees opening bowlers were very steady and used the new ball well, however, Saleem and Mazhar picked the balls to hit and cruised to 50 after 12 overs. Once the bowlers were changed, runs flowed from our favourite openers. At 91 Saleem fell for 39 only to be followed by Mazhar for 49 by a brilliant catch at point. Bilal and Gary Cunningham gave them no let up. Gary playing the support role and Bilal powering his way to 52. They put on 81 in 10 overs putting us in the strongest of positions at 177 for 3 after only 27 overs. Old Frees were fearing the worse and Asif gave it to them, he was run out off the final ball for 49, leaving us on a most formidable 262 for 9 at the end of our 40 overs.
Tahir and Richard Cunningham were quickly into their stride removing 2 apiece which left Old Frees in a hopeless position. Once the opening bowlers finished their 8 overs each, Old Frees had no let up with Mazhar and Jameel replacing them. Pace and accuracy saw wickets tumble. OF captain, Howie, was turned into a quivvering mess when faced against Maz who kindly bowled him first ball. Jameel bowled quickly and was far too good for the tail. All out 84 meant that we recorded our largest winning margin of 178 runs.
The only blot on our copybook was the poor attempt to catch the ball by Tahir which would have given birthday boy,Geoff Hitchcock (63!!!) his first wicket since he bowled uphill and against the wind at Morden in the year dot!!!!
Three out of 3 wins, all very comfortable to take to Sendholme against Concorde next week.

Sunday 26th April Spencer
Spencer won the toss and asked us to bat on a nice flat wicket with the sun shining. The openers made the most of the opportunity putting 149 on the board in 24 overs before debutant Callum Hope, on loan from Cheam CC, was dismissed on 72, which included two magnificent sixes. Captain Gary Cunningham joined Saleem briefly, but was out without scoring, trying to push the rate along. Basharat joined Saleem and hammered 54 of their 91 partnership in 12 overs. Saleem was finally disappointingly out on 99, looking to push a single to bring his century up in the final over. An OCA record score of 267 for 4 at the end of 40 overs was always going to be far too many for Spencer with the bowling attack available to us.
Richard Cunningham and Tahir bowled very steadily at the start as usual, although Richard was troubled by no balls!!! Spencer were then already way behind the rate and 3 wickets down. It got even worse for them when our new boy, Jameel rattled through the middle order and tail, taking 5 wickets for 22 on debut. Spencer perished for 111 all out after 30.4 overs, losing by a very large margin of 156 runs.
A well drilled performance by OCA under the meticulous captaincy of Gary Cunningham